Work Out While You Shop for Presents!

One of the benefits of exercise is focus, which helps keep your mind -- and body -- on track. The holidays, however, tend to be a slippery slope for many -- and missing just one workout can trigger a bad meal, which can snowball into six weeks of dietary indiscretion. This December, make it a point to train every day. This habit will help you make the right choices at a time when temptation is all around.

Here are some quick tips to keep you fit:

1. Walk the MallTalk about multi-tasking! Treat yourself while treating others. If you have shopping to do and can't get that much-needed workout in, take it to the sales. Mall-walking is a great way to keep moving in any weather while reducing stress, improving cardiac function, strengthening muscles and building endurance. And it's the one time you can get away with an excuse like, "I had to buy these earrings because I needed to burn 300 calories!"

2. Housework = WorkoutRather than spend money on a maid or cleaning service, lunge around your home as you clean. Not only does vacuuming and using elbow grease in the bathroom and kitchen cause a sweat, it causes savings!

3. Unwind Who knew that crunches and push-ups nightly not only give you a sleek physique, but they also do miracles for stress reduction? That's not all: Doing less than five minutes of these before bedtime will improve the quality of your sleep.

4. Jog Your MemoryGo for a morning jog, and gather your thoughts while planning out the hours ahead. Plus, something as simple as planning your day may save you time -- that you can spend exercising! -- all by making your efforts more efficient.

5. Let LooseThere’s a good reason why so many celebrities are losing weight while on Dancing With the Stars. It's amazing exercise and has tons of health benefits -- it builds muscular strength and endurance while burning calories! In fact, you can burn 200 to 400 calories in 30 minutes of sustained dance. Experts also agree that dancing develops social skills vital to longevity. Try some of your party moves at home while getting ready for the evening and then go out and put them into action (just don't break-dance at the office party!). Or get an even better workout by signing up for dance classes with or without a partner.

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